Download Tree-Of-Heaven, Ailanthus altissima Overview - GB non

T r e e - O f - H e a v e n , Ailanthus altissima
Overview
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Short description of Ailanthus altissima, T r e e - O f - H e a v e n
With large pinnate leaves, it resembles an ash, sumac or walnut. Less hairy than
sumac, it has larger, more pinnate leaves than ash or walnut, with 11-25 pairs of
leaflets, each 7-12 cm long. Unlike ash and walnut, it produces abundant sprouts
from the roots. Broken twigs have a distinctive unpleasant smell.
Description of Ailanthus altissima, Tree-Of-Heaven status in GB
Tree-of-heaven is widely planted by streets and in parks. It escapes in SE England and
is invasive in the London area.
Author's name:
Mark Hill and Markus Wagner
Last updated:
H a b i t a t s u m m a r y : Ailanthus altissima, T r e e - O f - H e a v e n
Mainly in urban areas, especially near parks and gardens, and in London along
railways. It is also planted in the grounds and parks of country houses.
November 27th 2015
Overview table
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Environment:
Terrestrial
Species status:
Non-Native
Native range:
China, Australia
Functional type:
Land plant
Status in
England:
Non-Native
Status in
Scotland:
Non-Native
Status in Wales:
Non-Native
Location of first
record:
v.c.17
Date of first
record:
1935
Invasion history: Ailanthus altissima,
Tree-Of-Heaven
Origin
Tree-of-heaven is native to China and north Vietnam.
First Record
It was introduced into cultivation in 1751, but not recorded from the wild until 1935.
Pathway and Method
Widely planted for ornament in SE GB during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is
tolerant of pollution and poor soils.
Species Status
At present, most English populations are confined to urban habitats of low
conservation value. Tree-of-heaven is globally recognized as an invasive species, and
listed by DAISIE as one of the 100 worst invasive species in Europe. It forms dense
thickets by suckering, and suppresses other plant species via allelopathic effects. It
has been reported to increase soil fertility.
Ecology & Habitat: Ailanthus altissima,
Tree-Of-Heaven
Dispersal Mechanisms
Its winged seeds are dispersed up to 100 m by wind. Once established, it forms large
clonal thickets by suckering from the roots. Suckers may appear up to 15 m from
existing stems. It is sometimes sold by plant nurseries (25 entries in the RHS Plant
Finder, 2010), and amateur gardeners are probably an still agent for transporting it
over longer distances.
Reproduction
It is a dioecious species, with male and female flowers found on separate plants. Seed
production in SE England and especially in London may be very large in warm
summers, but may be low in N England and Scotland.
Known Predators/Herbivores
It is not significantly affected by insects in GB, or in much of its introduced range.
Resistant Stages
Seeds do not normally survive for more than a year, but have high viability in the
spring following their production.
Habitat Occupied in GB
Its GB habitat is mainly urban, being abundant along railway lines in parts of London,
and forming thickets elsewhere in parks, gardens and urban waste land. It is also
planted in parkland in the countryside.
Distribution: Ailanthus altissima, T r e e - O f - H e a v e n
Well established in the London area. Although signified as established in Scotland by
Stace et al. (2003), it probably persists there by clonal growth rather than reproduction
from seed.
I m p a c t s : Ailanthus altissima, T r e e - O f - H e a v e n
Environmental Impact
Its impact in GB is still relatively small, because it spreads mainly in man-made
habitats of low conservation value. However, if the climate becomes warmer, it will
increase rapidly in woods and parks. In warmer climates of southern Europe, it is
highly invasive, excluding native vegetation by forming dense stands in woods and
former grasslands. It maintains dominance by allelopathic exudates.
Health and Scoial Impact
The plant is mildly toxic; contact with the sap can produce dermatitis. More serious
effects are rare. Tree-of-heaven is used extensively in Chinese traditional mecidine.
Economic Impact
It is valued as a street tree in some London boroughs, which spend money on shaping
individual specimens. There are as yet few if any reports of economic damage in GB.
In southern Europe and N America its roots damage sewers, pavements, archaeological
remains and the foundations of buildings. Because of its strongly suckering habit, it is
costly to eradicate.
References & Links: Ailanthus altissima,
Tree-Of-Heaven
Identification
Yancey, M. (2009) Invasive Exotic Plant Species: Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima).
Virginia Tech. http:pubs.ext.vt.edu420420-322420-322.html
Biology, ecology, spread, vectors
Kowarik, I. & Säumel, I. (2007) Biological Flora of Central Europe: Ailanthus altissima
(Mill.) Swingle. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 8 , 2 0 7 - 2 3 7 .
Management and impact
Gómez-Aparicio, L. & Canham, C.D. (2008) Neighbourhood analyses of the allelopathic
effects of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima in temperate forests. Journal of Ecology,
9 6, 4 4 7 - 4 5 8 .
General
The best general reference is the W i k i p e d i a article
http:en.wikipedia.orgwikiAilanthus_altissima
A detailed but rather technical account is the EPPO draft factsheet
http:www.eppo.orgQUARANTINEias_plants.htm
Basnou, C. and Vilà, M. (2006) DAISIE factsheet.
http:www.europe-aliens.orgspeciesFactsheet.do?speciesId=16970#
Stace, C.A., Ellis, R.G., Kent, D.H. & McCosh, D.J., eds. (2003) Vice-county census
catalogue of the vascular plants of Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel
Islands. Botanical Society of the British Isles, London.